USA > Minnesota > Cottonwood County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 40
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Another warrant for a quarter section of land was laid on the north- west quarter of section 27, township 107. range 30, Madelia township, in favor of Henry G. Hammond, private in Captain Vaughn's company, Mas- sachusetts militia, in the War of 1812. It is signed by President James Buchanan and is numbered 36,573.
HOMESTEAD ENTRIES.
By an act of Congress in May, 1862, any citizen of this country upon the payment of a filing fee of fourteen dollars, might obtain free of charge a quarter section of land outside railroad limits and eighty acres inside, by residing on it five years and making the common farm improvements on same. In this township the following, with possibly a few such homestead entries were made, and today the tracts of land thus secured are among the most valuable in the county.
No. i was made by Halvor Erickson, at the land office at St. Peter, March 1, 1870, and was signed by President U. S. Grant, and it was for the southeast half of the northeast quarter of section 10, township 107, range 30 west.
One granted to Wilson Winters, a certificate No. 1.614, for the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10, township 107, range 30 west. This was signed by President U. S. Grant, August 10, 1872.
The east half of the southeast quarter of section 6, township 107, range
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30 west, was homesteaded to Else Nilsson by President U. S. Grant, May 20, 1874.
Certificate No. 7.369, at the New Ulm land office, was granted to Jacob B. K. MeCurdy, on the northwest quarter of section 30, township 107. range 30. This was signed by President U. S. Grant, November 1, 1875.
Certificate No. 5,387, at the Tracy land office, was issued to J. Saw- artzky, on the north half of the southwest quarter of section 30, township 107, range 30 west, and was signed by Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, April 27, 1885.
On February 22, 1865, application No. 1.957, for a homestead in this county, was filed by William H. Pickett, after paying the filing fee of four- teen dollars, for the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the north- east quarter of the southwest quarter of section 18, township 107, range 30 west. This was effected at the St. Peter land office.
On February 1, 1865. a homestead claim was filed by Thomas Clark in the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 14, township 107, range 30 west, and its number was 1,918. This was in Madelia township.
On February 22, 1865, at St. Peter land office, a homestead was laid on the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10, township 107, range 30 west, by Robert M. Gist.
Wilson Winters homesteaded at the St. Peter land office. August 13, 1866, the west half of the southeast quarter of section 10, township 107, range 30 west.
Daniel Winters took, on May 20, 1862, pre-emption claim No. 3.198, in the northwest of the northeast of section 18, township 107, range 30. in Madelia township.
United States to Ole W. Martin, from the New Ulm land office, patent filed on September 23. 1885, on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter, section 2, township 107, range 30 west, including eighty acres. This homestead entry was made and signed by President U. S. Grant, January 27, 1873.
VILLAGE OF MADELIA.
Madelia was platted in 1857 in the northeast portion of the county. It is one hundred and ten miles from St. Paul and one hundred and fifty-nine miles from Sioux City, Iowa. It is on the Watonwan river, in sections 22 and 27, township 107, range 30 west. Its proprietors were Messrs. Harts- horn, Shepard and Haire, and it derived its name from that of the daughter "Madelia" of General Hartshorn and wife. Here, three log and one small
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frame house were erected; also a steam saw-mill by Jonathan and Caleb Leavitt.
In 1862, during the Sioux uprising, all of the settlers fled to Mankato for refuge and some never returned to be permanent settlers again. But after the massacre was ended and quiet was again restored in southern Min- nesota, many returned and went to work. These families who returned were for a time protected by a company of cavalry under Captain E. St. Julian Cox, whose men built an improvised fort for the settlement's protec- tion.
POSTOFFICE.
This office is one among the first to be established in this section of the state. At the present time it is a second-class office, with five rural routes. Among the postmasters that have served are the following: G. Yates, C. W. Kendall. Carl Scot, C. W. Mullen, T. F. Goor, J. E. Haycraft, Julia Holly and E. L. Goor.
EARLY BUSINESS FACTORS.
There were two or three efforts to establish stores in Madelia previous to the one opened by Yates Brothers. Of one of these Mr. Louis Roberts, of St. Paul, was the proprietor. These were temporary efforts, however, and did not last even by succession.
In the fall of 1867 Mr. C. L. Richardson erected a store building and put in a stock of goods. This he continued to occupy until the summer of 1870, when Boyton & Cheney, who were in business at Garden City, pur- chased his stock and established a branch store. This firm continued in business until the spring of 1872. when it was dissolved, Mr. Cheney tak- ing the store and moved his family to Madelia. At the same time he enlarged his building and put in an excellent assortment of general mer- chandise.
Mr. Ransom, who was engaged in blacksmithing, remodeled his shop into a store in the summer of 1868 and put in a small stock of hardware and other goods. In March, 1869, he sold to Estes & Hopkins, who con- tinned in the business until the next September, when Hopkins sold his interest to Christian Heigum. The firm continued under this name until the spring of 1872, when Christian disposed of his interests to HI. C. King and John M. Robb, forming the firm of Estes, King & Company. This form
VIEWS ON MAIN STREET, MADELIA.
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removed their stock to Mr. Estes' building in the fall and in the following spring Estes retired, leaving the firm as King & Robb.
With the approach of the railroad the prospects of the town began to improve fast and when the iron horse reached there in the summer of 1870 the town was all astir putting up places for business. One of those who came at this time was M. E. Dunn, from Lake Crystal. He opened a store, consisting of general merchandise, in the block just erected by H. S. Willson, where he soon built up a good trade, part of the time having two clerks besides himself. In connection with his store he received the appointment of local agent for the express company, a position that he held for a long time. He was also a grain buyer, but this business did not keep him very busy because there was very little grain grown at that date. He identified himself fully with the town by purchasing the store building and stock of
Howes & Lamper, corner of Main and St. Paul streets. This was about the same time that Eckstorm Brothers & Brown removed their business from South Bend to Madelia. They erected a building on Main street and kept it well filled with a stock of merchandise. At the same time came O. H. Davis, who had formerly been in business at Mankato, and built his store for hardware on the corner of Main and Willson streets.
The first regular drug store in Madelia was opened by Bill & Barton, who came from Garden City and purchased a building on Main street, near St. Paul street, which place they fitted up for the purpose. Later, the firm became known as Bill & Moore.
Dr. G. H. Overholt had a good stock of drugs and medicines next door to the "Pioneer" store. His store was established by the firm of Adams & Langdon about 1856.
In 1870 Jerome Patterson came from Mankato to open a jewelry store. His store was on the corner of Main and St. Paul streets. Next door to him was the first harness shop, started by William Seeger, who came from Lake Crystal. He sold his interests in a few years to G. A. Gieriet.
Mrs. Frizzell opened a millinery store, first occupying rooms in the building of Mr. Wickersham used as a drug store. In a few years she became so prosperous that she purchased the building and continued in the same business on a more extensive scale.
In 1873 Mrs. D. Brayton opened a shop of the same kind, adding dress- making as a side line. Almost at the same time. Mrs. Scoville opened a dressmaking shop, but was soon succeeded by the Misses Williams and Hamill.
The first restaurant was opened by J. G. Jefts in 1870. It was not
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many months until he sold out to A. S. Davis, he in turn selling to S. P. Driggers.
Among the larger mercantile firms of the early period was that of Bisbee & Olson. Because of the fact that both men were so well and favor- ably known they built up a trade that extended far and wide, thus becoming one of the most stable and prosperous firms in this section of the state. The firm remained intact for several years, until Mr. Bisbee retired from busi- ness.
With the increase in population and in the number of homes came a demand for house furnishings, which led to the establishment of a furniture store by James Smith, who sold to W. R. Marvin.
At an early date Joseph Flanders erected a hotel and in 1870 improved and enlarged it. In 1873 he sold the building to T. L. Vought, who con- tinned the business. In 1870 a company built the Northern Hotel, which was purchased in 1872 by H. Delling, who changed the name to the Delling House.
The early implement dealers were George Yates, A. Frizzell and H. T. Odegaid. The first shoe shop was conducted by _\. Knudson. The first tailor was A. M. Anderson.
The first lumber yard was that of J. Dean & Company, established about 1874. About the same time a grain elevator was built with a capacity of thirty thousand bushels. T. C. Peart was the manager.
In 1888 Warren Golden erected a flour-mill on the river and for many years this mill supplied not only Watonwan county, but many surrounding counties with flour and corn meal.
In the early days there was great need of a blacksmith shop, and in the fall of 1865 J. Flanders gave a lot to S. P. Driggers, who at once erected a shop sixteen feet square and rented it to E. D. Miller for one year. The time expiring, Mr. Driggers sold the property to G. R. Ransom, who built a small addition for a wagon shop and continued in that business about a year, when he decided to start a hardware store. He enlarged the building to sixteen by thirty and added a story above. He started business under the name of G. R. Ransom & Company, and continued until 1869, when the goods and premises were soll to William Estes and J. Hopkins. This firm continued until the following September, when Mr. Hopkins retired and C. Tergum bought his interest. Finally, Tergum sold his interest to H. C. King and John Robb.
Among the early physicians were Dr. Overholt. Dr. W. HI. Woods and Dr. Christopherson.
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The early lawyers were T. Rutledge. H. S. Willson, F. D. Jay and W. H. H. Johnson.
The first resident clergy were Rev. N. A. Trobridge, of the Meth- odist church, Rev. J. W. Van Eman, of the Presbyterian church, and Father Cunningham, of the Catholic church.
In 1871 the amount of improvements for the year amounted to ten thousand dollars; in 1872 to twenty-one thousand seven hundred and five dollars, thus showing how rapidly the town improved in its infancy.
The first Indian fort was down in the "flat," but this was soon dis- carded and another built on the lot just north of where the Methodist church now stands, so that the occupants might have a better view of the prairie and thereby ward off attacks from the Indians. These forts, built of logs, were small and acted merely as a refuge for the settlers. The main fort was known as Fort Hill, and was located near Hanska, on the farm now owned by Ole Sonsteby. Government troops were stationed in and around the forts for nearly two years, but fortunately very little trouble took place with the Indians.
VILLAGE OF MADELIA IN 1885-6.
From an old directory it is learned that the following were in trade and professional life at Madelia in 1885-6:
.Ash. George H .- Capitalist.
Bank of Madelia-Joseph Flanke, banker ; transacted a general banking and exchange business.
Benton. A. H .- Dealer in general merchandise and farm machinery of all kinds.
Bill, Brothers-Dealers in drugs, medicines, books and fancy goods.
Bisbee, Olson & Boynton-Dealers in general merchandise and farm implements, and buyers of all kinds of grain.
Brenneis, P. A .- Proprietor of Madelia Brewery.
Cheney, J. N .- Dealer in general merchandise, groceries, crockery, dry goods, clothing, ete, and breeder of short-horn cattle, Norman horses and Berkshire hogs.
Cook & Holmes-Contractors and builders.
Cooley, Dr. C. O .- Physician and surgeon.
Cooley, Charles-Attorney-at-law; loans, insurance and real estate.
Delling, George W .- Photographer.
Estes Brothers-Dealers in farm machinery, wagons, etc .; also Short- horn cattle and Berkshire swine.
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Evenson. C .- Dealer in wines, liquors and cigars.
Flanders Hotel-A. E. Fisher, proprietor.
Gieriet, J. A .- Manufacturer of and dealer in harness, collars, whips, trunks and buffalo robes.
Gilbert. H. P .- Proprietor to Gilbert's Addition to Madelia.
Gleason, F. C .- Assistant railroad agent and operator.
Gove & Kendrick-Lumber, sash, doors. etc .; also wood, coal, lime and farm implements.
Hage, Siver-Dealer in lumber, sash, doors, coal and wood.
Haycraft, S. P .- Dray line.
Hopkins, D. C .- Attorney-at-law; real estate.
Mitchell Brothers-Proprietors of the Madelia flouring-mills.
Mullen, C. G .- Dealer in stationery, confectionery, etc.
Rohe, Adolph-Dealer in wines, liquors, beer, etc.
Sidler, H. C .- Dealer in watches, clocks, jewelry and plated ware.
Times, Madelia-D. C. Sanborn, proprietor and publisher.
Wadsworth, H. B .- Capitalist.
Witham, W. H .- Dealer in furniture and undertakers' goods.
LARGE FLOURING-MILL.
Madelia can easily boast of having the largest flour-mill in the county. The mill was founded by its present owner, Mr. C. S. Christensen, and under his management "Madelia's Best" has become known far and wide. The products are marketed throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and the central states. The daily capacity of the mill is seven hundred barrels of flour. Seven grain elevators, scattered throughout the country, belong to the same firm. In all, thirty-five people are given employment.
MUNCIPAL HISTORY.
Madelia was incorporated early in the seventies, and in 1873 the officers were as follow: William R. Marvin, president of the board of trustees : Joseph Flanders, Henry C. King, trustees: Jens Thorson, treasurer; F. D. Jay, clerk.
The 1916 municipal officers were: William Schaloben, president; J. P. Garber, Nils Fjelsta, Theodore AA. Tollerson, trustees; M1. S. Dossett, treas- urer : F. 11. Hillesheim, clerk.
The village has an indebtedness of sixteen thousand dollars and has
CATHOLIC SCHOOL, MADELIA.
PUBLIC SCHOOL, MADELIA.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MADELIA.
FARM HOME NEAR MADELIA.
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made many substantial improvements in the last few years to show for this indebtedness. They have a fine water-works system, costing nine thousand dollars : two deep wells : water is pumped by electricity to a ninety-thousand- gallon steel tank. The electric lighting is had by a private corporation, known as the Madelia Electric Company. The volunteer fire department consists of thirty volunteers. The public park is a full block of ground cov- ered with fine artificial trees. The village jail is twenty foot square and has two cells.
BIG CONFLAGRATION.
Probably one of the worst fires that Madelia ever experienced occurred on the night of October 31, 1877. The fire had its origin in the rear of Eskstorm Brothers & Brown's store, and was thought by some to be of incendiary origin. The fire destroyed the building occupied by the milliner, Mrs. Frizzell, the building west of Eckstrom's owned by Mr. Brayton, the H. S. Willson block and with it the valuable library of Attorney Willson; the building occupied by George P. Johnson and the store of M. E. Mullen. The loss was estimated at five to six thousand dollars, with no insurance. All those who were burned out were fortunate enough to secure places in which to continue their business.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN 1916.
Auto Garage-Forster Brothers, Madelia Motor Company, W. W. Cole & Son.
Attorney-C. J. Eide.
Banks-State Bank, First National Bank.
Barber Shops-Howard L. Driggers, Frank Kitchen.
Blacksmith Shops-Axel Hanson, R. Il. Thomas, Toffef Paterson. Bakery-Hale & Sons. Brick and Tile Plant-Madelia Cement and Tile Company.
Clothing-Hodapp-Nelson Company.
Creamery-Madelia Creamery Company.
Druggist-Madelia Drug and Jewelry Company.
Dray-L. L. Ilall, V. E. Tate.
Dentist-L. T. Austin, Edwin A. Hagaman, W. H. Shaver. Elevator-C. S. Christensen Company, Hubbard & Palmer. Electric Light Plant -- T. J. McGovern.
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COTTONWOOD AND WATONWAN COUNTIES, MINN.
Furniture Dealers-McDowell & Company. Schuletz Brothers.
Feed Store-C. S. Christensen Company.
Grocers-J. P. Hale & Sons, W. A. Mullen.
General Dealers-Sever Larson, Mathias Olson, Frank Mullen.
Hotels-The Noonan. The Madelia.
Hardware-Charles B. Cooley, Charles R. Klatt, Parr & Bork Hard- ware Company.
Harness-J. A. Gierist, H. Joerg & Son.
Ice Dealers-Rockwood & Austin.
Implements-Parr & Bork Hardware Company. Charles R. Klatt, Charles H. Cooley.
Lumber Dealers-S. Hage Lumber Company, Henry Simmons Lumber Company.
Livery-William U. Montgomery.
Mill-C. S. Christensen Company.
Millinery-Marie A. Hillesheim.
Meat Markets-C. J. Hammond, Hodapp & Lamm.
Marble Works-James J. Tighe.
Merchant Tailor-Cornelius Blomenkamper.
Newspapers-Madelia Times-Messenger, Madelia News.
Notions-George A. Kline.
Physicians-William J. McCarthy, Henry B. Grimes.
Picture Show-The Wonderland.
Photographic Gallery-Wilson Sisters.
Produce Dealers-E. England, George Rohe.
Restaurants-A. F. Lodes, Hale & Sons.
Real Estate Dealers -- M. C. Solensten, C. E. Brown Land Company. William Schaleben & Company.
Shoe Store-August Simonett.
Stock Buyers-F. Moses, Madelia Farmers' Shipping Association, C. J. Hammond.
Telephones-Tri-State, Madelia Telephone Company, North Western Telephone Company.
Veterinary-Francis P. Burke. Clayton Butler, Homer C. Butler.
Madelia is one of the few towns in the county that is really on a boom. Not a dwelling or store building in the town is vacant and new buildings of all kinds are being constructed as fast as carpenters can get them up. The best booster of the town is the Commercial Club, composed of all the enter- prising and wide-awake business men. The officers are as follow: Presi-
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dent. Henry Hillesheim: vice-president. L. T. Austin : secretary, F. Morris; treasurer. C. T. Dahl. There is also a Business Men's Association, the pur- pose of which is the safeguarding and protecting of the merchants' inter- ests. Madelia is the only town in the county that has an annual chautauqua for its citizens and the surrounding community.
BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
The Business Men's Association of Madelia was organized on Novem- ber 2. 1915, with the following officers: C. S. Christensen, president ; Frank Hodapp, vice-president : George Hage, treasurer: C. J. Eide, secre- tary. The motive that led to the organization was the desire to meet in a satisfactory way the destructful competition of mail order houses, to make fairer prices for the consumer, to overcome ruinous competition. to welcome all newcomers, to investigate the financial standing of people, for the purpose of extending credit when necessary.
MADELIA FARMERS' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
This insurance company was organized on June 14, 1887, and its pres- ent officers are as follows: George Busser, president ; Charles Tiegren, vice- president ; James T. Reynolds, secretary : O. M. Ilowe, treasurer. The com- pany now carries risks to the total amount of five million dollars. There are at present two thousand policy-holders. The territory covered by the company is all of Watonwan county and twenty-seven townships in the sur- rounding counties. The rate per thousand dollars of insured property is two dollars. This company is operated purely on the mutual plan. Only farm risks are taken, and the farmers in five counties take great interest in it.
NELSON TOWNSHIP.
On the north line of the county and second from the western border is Nelson township, which comprises all of congressional township 107, range 32 west. It is situated south of Brown county, west of Riverdale township. north of St. James township and east of Adrian township. It is six miles square and contains thirty-six full sections of beautiful prairie land, well watered and drained by numerous small prairie streams. These watercourses include tributaries to the main stream known as the Waton-
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wan river, which courses from west to east through this part of the county. There are no villages or railroads within this township, but public school buildings are found in sections 8, 12, 20 and 26.
The population of this township in 1900 was eight hundred and six, but the census of 1910 gives it at six hundred and eighty-four, owing to great migration to other parts during that decade.
ORGANIZATION.
Nelson township was organized by the board of county commissioners in September, 1870, out of the territory embraced in congressional township 107, ranges 32 and 33. thus including present Adrian township, which was organized the next spring. This whole part of the county had previously been included in Riverdale civil township. Later in the same month in which this new township was created, the commissioners gave it at first the name of North Branch, subsequently changing its name to "Dexter." Some time later it was changed to Nelson. The county commissioners in 1902 caused a re-survey of the lands within this township, at the expense of owners.
SETTLEMENT.
Swan Beck and Ole Blackstad were among the first pioneers in this township.
Jacob Harder, certificate No. 5.381, at the land office at Tracy, the sonth half of the northeast quarter of section 30, township 107, range 32 west, issued by President Grover Cleveland, signed on April 27, 1885.
John Earlson, No. 2,888, at the New Uhu land office, the east half of the southwest quarter of section 26, township 107. range 32 west. issued by President Chester AA. Arthur, signed on June 20, 1882.
Charles Verner, certificate No. 2.494, at the New Ulm land office, the north half of the northwest quarter of section 30, township 107, range 32 west, issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on January 5. 1875.
Robert Rowland, certificate No. 2.507, at the New Ulm land office. This was issued by President U. S. Grant, signed on January 15, 1875.
Anders .A. Hestlekrantz, the west half of the northwest quarter of section 6, township 107, range 32 west, signed by President Chester A. Arthur, 1883.
Anders Swenson, at the New Uhn land office, the east half of the
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northwest quarter of section 8, township 107. range 32 west, signed by President U. S. Grant, August 15, 1876.
Gustaf Sjoquest, the north half of the southwest quarter of section 20, township 107, range 32 west. issued by President U. S. Grant, signed March 1, 1876.
Syver O. Tonde, certificate No. 5,330, at the Tracy land office, the east half of the southeast quarter of section 10. township 107, range 32 west, issued by President Grover Cleveland, January 9. 1886.
ODIN TOWNSHIP.
Odin is the extreme southwestern sub-division of Watonwan county and comprises all of congressional township 105, range 33. hence is six miles square, having thirty-six full sections of land. Odin is bounded on the west by Cottonwood county, on the north by Butterfield township, on the east by Long Lake township and on the south by Martin county.
This portion of Watonwan county has numerous lakes and large ponds, some of which are fed by springs and others are largely surface water, which, with the settling of the county and scientific drainage and tiling enterprises, are fast becoming extinct and are used for pasture and other agricultural purposes. Among the larger of these natural water shects may be named in this connection: School Lake, Irish Lake and Sulem Lake. A few small prairie creeks or "runs" are found in various parts of the town- ship. The soil is about the same quality for richness and fertility as the sister townships of Watonwan county. When thoroughly drained and prop- erly tiled it will make one of the most valuable sections in southern Minne- sota for both farming and dairying. The only village within this township is Odin, in section 29, a station on the branch line of the Chicago & North- western railroad, running between Sanborn and Welcome. Minnesota, and which extends down into central Iowa. The railroad already mentioned runs through sections Nos. 2, 11, 14, 13, 24, 25 and 35.
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